Garden Weeds in the Spring

[Phaedra Geiermann]

It's springtime again. While cleaning up different corners in the garden, I also cut and chop safe weeds for chickens as a seasonal supplement.

Different weeds grow happily in different locations, so it has become my new daily routine to collect one bucket of mixed weeds for them.

I used an empty tower as a feeder (of vegetables or other greens safe for them), and the effect is somehow good. No fight; everyone gets her place.

A small video about how they enjoy the daily greens

 

[-Isla June-]

That's an amazing idea! Great setup! That is an amazing way to keep healthy, strong chickens. And to help with boredom. You could even make it an article!

 

[3KillerBs]

My chickens love garden weeds, but with them in lockup due to Avian flu in my region I can't offer them right now.

(Not sure if washing them with a bucket and a hose would be adequate?)

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

My chickens love garden weeds, but with them in lockup due to Avian flu in my region I can't offer them right now.

(Not sure if washing them with a bucket and a hose would be adequate?)

As the virus can be killed with heat, do you think blanching is practical? I mean, after collecting weeds, quickly blanch and then offer them to the chickens when the weeds are cooled down.

​

 

[3KillerBs]

As the virus can be killed with heat, do you think blanching is practical? I mean, after collecting weeds, quickly blanch and then offer them to the chickens when the weeds are cooled down.

​

I can't imagine hauling a Gorilla Cart full of weeds into my kitchen to blanch.

The weeks and the lawn trimmings that the chickens would normally enjoy are going to have to be composted, I suppose.

 

[Sally PB]

When I pull weeds, I put them in a bucket, dirt and all. Then the bucket gets dumped in the chicken run, and they go to town.

Any grubs I find while I'm weeding go in the bucket too. I tell them, Ladies, there are a few special bits in there.

 

[3KillerBs]

When I pull weeds, I put them in a bucket, dirt and all. Then the bucket gets dumped in the chicken run, and they go to town.

Any grubs I find while I'm weeding go in the bucket too. I tell them, Ladies, there are a few special bits in there.

That's my norm, but with avian flu in my area I'm just going to have to compost everything.

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

Time for delicious weeds again!

Purple deadnettle, Chickweed, Clover, Dendelion